Report: St. John's center Chris Obekpa to return next season

St. John's center Chris Obekpa will return to the team next season after completing his suspension for failing a drug test, reports the New York Post’s Zach Braziller.

Obekpa was suspended March 15 for a violation of team rules, later reported to be a failed drug test for marijuana.

Obekpa started 24 games and averaged 5.8 points and 7 rebounds per game this season. He came off the bench for the final seven games of his season, punishment for throwing an elbow and receiving a flagrant foul and ejection in a Feb. 3 loss to Butler.

Obekpa led the Big East in blocked shots and holds the St. John's record for career blocks.

According to the report, Obekpa’s status with the team was in question after St. John’s and Steve Lavin parted ways after the Red Storm were eliminated by San Diego State in the second round of the NCAA tournament.

The school hired former St. John’s player Chris Mullin on March 31, and Obekpa met with Mullin and assistant coach Matt Abdelmassih last week to discuss his status with team.

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